Morikami Park Unified Zoning Approved

        The tranquil, halcyonic "Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens" could become a scorched-earth battlefield of special interests unless the Palm Beach County Commission, tourism business advocates, park managers, local property owners and conservationists agree on a "vision" for the park's future land use.
        A preliminary skirmish was fought April 2 when the Palm Beach County Zoning Board approved a county Parks and Recreation Department request to rezone 173 acres of Morikami Park from Agricultural Residential (AR) to Public Ownership (PO).
        The action was taken to unify the zoning of the entire park under public (county) ownership. However, the approval also paves the way for potential development within the park. Under PO zoning, the County Commission has the legal power to decide how the land will be used in the future.
        The zoning change was opposed at the April 2 hearing by residents of the neighboring subdivisions and representatives of the local Sierra Club. They seek to retain Morikami as a "passive" park limited to current cultural uses.
        Opponents fear the character of the park will be altered in the future by such recently "discussed" additions as a Japanese-style hotel, spa and restaurant, a commercial artisan village, outdoor pavilion enhancements for events, and 15 acres of open field parking. Traffic gridlock and neighborhood noise are two other concerns.
        Morikami Park is jointly operated by the Parks and Recreation Department and Morikami, Inc., a nonprofit partner providing planning and financial support.
        At the Zoning Board hearing, county staff assured the public the rezoning of the park would not in itself lead to development. Future proposals must be approved by the County Commission. However, one "Conceptual Master Plan" for Morikami considered in September 2014 included a future commercial hotel site.
        There is widespread suspicion in the local west Delray community that future commercial development within Morikami Park may follow the zoning change. A recent history of pro-development actions by the Commission only fuels this distrust.

George Morikami's Vision
        In 1974, George Morikami, one of the last surviving members of the Japanese Yamato agricultural colony west of Delray Beach, donated his 40 acres of land to Palm Beach County as a park to "preserve the memory of the Yamato colony." Additional parcels of (AR) land were acquired and added to the original site, which became the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in 1977.
        The official mission statement for Morikami Park is to "provide an authentic Japanese cultural experience that entertains, educates and inspires."
        What is the future inspiration for Morikami Park? Will it remain a passive regional park featuring cultural events such as hatsume, kitsaki, sado tea ceremonies, and lantern festivals?
        Should it become an international tourism destination and theme park, complete with a private hotel, spa, restaurant, expanded outdoor entertainment venue, and commercial arts and crafts shops?
        The spirit of George Morikami, and a concerned public, will be observing any park development proposals with intense interest during future Zoning Board and County Commission public hearings.
        Update: County Commissioners, meeting as the Zoning Commission, approved the Morikami rezoning at its April 23 meeting, and affirmed their action again on May 28.
(c.) Davidsson. 2015